The big turns small
Robin does everything she’s supposed to. She changes the bandages and takes the damned pills and rests as much as she can as a handler of two Widows and mother of two.
Still, infection sets in and Robin makes a call to Miguel who promised to get her stronger antibiotics if she sent someone to come collect them.
So Robin finds herself on Rosalie’s doorstep with Yelena in one hand and a bottle of good vodka in the other. She’s surprised when Rosalie opens the door to hear Yelena cry out “Aunt Rosalie!” and the soldier gives a lazy grin and scoops the girl up.
“Hey, munchkin. Causing all sorts of trouble?” Rosalie questioned before glancing at Robin. “Well, well, well. Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes, captain.”
“I hate to ask you this but I need a favor,” Robin grimaced and Rosalie beckons them in, accepting the vodka Robin brought to bribe her.
“Pretty sure you owe me a few,” Rosalie comments as Yelena darts off down the hallway to search out Rosalie’s dog, Maggie. “What can I do for ya?”
“I need you to pick up higher dose antibiotics from Miguel at the Red Room,” Robin murmurs, and Rosalie stiffens up at the mention of the place. “I can’t send Melina and I can’t risk going back again myself.”
Rosalie glances at Robin. “Show me.” She said.
Robin pushes her shirt up to peel the bandage back and show Rosalie the infection sets in. Rosalie grimaced and Robin replaced the bandage. “So?”
“Yeah…” Rosalie nods her head. “Sure. I’ll pick it up. You owe me.”
“I know, I know,” Robin owed Rosalie a lot. “Name it and it’s yours.”
Rosalie clicks her tongue against her teeth. “I need you alive, boss. You die and I lose the favor of the Red Room’s best doctor.”
“I also need you to not mention this to Melina,” Robin tacks on and the teasing grin fades from Rosalie’s face before she gives a curt nod. It wasn’t her place to question it.
“Gotcha.” Rosalie nods before letting out a whistle. Maggie comes bounding into the room, the giggles of Yelena following the dog. “Your kid, captain.”
Robin lets out a small laugh, reaching out to take Yelena’s hand. “Come on. Let’s go home.”
“Bye Aunt Rosalie!” Yelena waves at Rosalie, flashing her a toothy grin.
“See ya, munchkin,” Rosalie chuckles.
Robin doesn’t remember falling asleep on the couch as Yelena curled into her to watch a movie.
She wakes up to a set of hands gently cupping her face and smoothing the hair out of her eyes. “You’re burning up.” A soft voice said.
Robin can’t help but lean into the soft touch before peeling her eyes open. “I’m fine,” She murmurs, pressing a kiss to Melina’s palm. “I need--” Robin moves to stand but pain shoots through her side and her knees buckle, a pained cry escaping her lips.
Melina immediately reaches for her. “Robin!”
“I’m okay,” If Robin curls up tightly then the ache in her side fades to a steady throbbing. “I’m sorry. I’m fine.”
“Let me see,” Melina helps Robin back onto the couch and reaches toward the hem of Robin’s shirt but Robin pushes her hand away. “Robin, please.”
“The kids,” Robin can see Yelena watches curiously with wide eyes, clearly unsure of what to do.
Melina turns toward Yelena. “Go upstairs and find your sister.” She tells Yelena firmly. “Now.”
Yelena slides off the couch, glancing at Robin one more time before disappearing up the stairs.
Robin then lets Melina shove the hand keeping her shirt down away. Melina pushes Robin’s shirt up to expose her stomach and then peels back the bandage covering her wound. “Robin, this is infected.”
“Yeah… I know,” Robin murmurs, closing her eyes. “I’m dealing with it.”
Melina lets out a long sigh. “You just collapsed.”
“I know.” Robin whispers, feeling Melina smooth the bandage back in place. “I’m sorry.”
“I know,” Melina replies, her hands moving to cup Robin’s face. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“There’s nothing you can do,” Robin shakes her head. “You don’t need more pressure--”
She’s cut off by Melina silencing her with a kiss. Her eyes fly open in surprise as Melina pulls away.
“You take on too much pressure,” Melina cups Robin’s face softly. “They are my daughters too. I handled it while you were gone.”
“Exactly. But I’m still your handler,” Robin shakes her head. “I asked for the files Alejandro turned in on this mission. He thinks Natasha is out of control and that I need to crack down on Yelena. He even called you disobedient. We’re on thin ice and I have to look like I’m taking control of things to others on the street.”
Melina lets out a soft sigh, smoothing Robin’s hair back. “You have too much on your shoulders.”
“I know,” Robin does know. “But that’s just my life. Come here.”
Melina is careful when she straddles Robin, ensuring that she doesn’t press against the infected wound. “How can I help?”
Despite the seriousness of the situation, Robin can’t help but smile slightly. “Just be you. That’s all I need.” She reaches up to cup one side of Melina’s face. “You look beautiful.”
Melina froze at her words. “What--”
“I don’t say it enough. But you’re perfect,” Robin let out a tired sigh. “And I love you so much.”
Melina softens, turning her head to kiss the palm of Robin’s hand. “I love you too.” She said softly. “You need to rest before you push yourself too far.”
“Okay.” Robin gives in, knowing that Melina was right. Melina smiles, leaning forward to softly kiss her again before getting up.
Robin ends up falling back asleep on the couch, barely waking up a few times. The first was Melina resting a cool cloth against her forehead, taking a few moments to stroke her hair. It felt nice and Robin’s lulled back to sleep.
The second was Yelena climbing onto the couch next to her, letting out a soft “mama?” as if to check that Robin was still alive. Robin glances at Yelena, reaching out to set a hand on top of her head.
“My sweet baby,” She murmurs and Yelena smiles up at her.
“Mama got a boo-boo?” Yelena questioned, her gaze sliding to look at Robin’s torso.
“Yeah,” Robin agrees, running a hand over Yelena’s head.
Yelena squirms closer to Robin and starts to hum. It takes Robin a few seconds before she recognizes it as the song she sang to her daughters whenever they were upset or needed comforting.
Yelena’s soft sweet humming puts Robin back to sleep.
The third time she wakes up is to Natasha standing nearby and watching her sleep. Robin lifts an arm to beckon her closer but Natasha stays where she is, rocking on her feet as she clasped her hands behind her back.
Robin had noticed Natasha starting to pull away slowly ever since she returned. Like she was afraid of getting used to Robin’s touches again when Robin could be ripped from them in the blink of an eye.
Robin never realized just how much Natasha wanted to be held or carried around until she wasn’t doing it anymore. It was like Natasha was the same girl Robin first met, terrified of all physical contact and needing to earn it. Distancing herself would make things easier in the end.
“Come here,” Robin beckons her again and this time Natasha obeys the order and shuffles closer but still out of reach. Robin wants to pursue the internal struggle Natasha was having but was far too tired and exhausted to think straight. She was in no shape to be having serious conversations with Natasha. “You’re such a good girl.”
Natasha watches her with cautious green eyes. “Thank you.” She murmurs. “You should rest more.” She then said.
“I know,” Robin gives her a weak smile. “I love you, sweetheart.”
Natasha doesn’t say it back but she gives a small nod of acknowledgment.
Robin falls asleep against her wishes once again.
The fourth time she wakes up was to the doorbell ringing. Robin moves to sit up but a sharp pain in her side stops her and she listens carefully instead.
“Is Robin here?” Rosalie’s voice sounds out and Robin relaxed slightly, glad that it wasn’t the General’s men.
“She’s resting,” Melina replies. “What do you need?”
“These are for her,” There’s a shuffling. “Here.”
Robin listens as things quiet down before the front door closes and Melina reappears in the living room with an orange bottle of pills in her hand.
Robin reaches out for it and Melina helps Robin sit up, passing her one of the pills from the bottles.
“Will these help?” Melina questioned, not looking upset at the fact Robin went behind her back to ask Rosalie to fetch the pills.
“They should,” The label on the bottle tells Robin it’s the higher strength antibiotics that she had asked Miguel for.
Melina’s hand pressed against Robin’s warm face. “Good. You still have a fever, though.”
Robin sighs, leaning against Melina’s touch. “I know.” She murmurs. “I’m so lucky to have you.”
“Get some more rest,” Melina said and Robin let out a nod. Melina pressed her lips to Robin’s forehead before pulling away to go get a new wet cloth for her forehead.
Robin’s so incredibly lucky that she has her girls as her family and lets herself fall back asleep once again.